How can I programatically run the snapshot agent?

How can I run the snapshot agent of a publication from within a custom job in
one step?
I have a snapshot publication that will execute on demand. A custom job will
initiate this process, but the custom job needs to be able to wait until the
snapshot agent is finished as it will do many other things after. I know I
can start the snapshot agent by using the sp_start_job sproc but this will
simply start the process and will not wait until it finishes.
One option I know I have is to copy the 3 steps below which are inside the
auto-generated snapshot job and add them to my custom job as 3 steps.
StepName
1.Snapshot Agent startup message.
2.Run agent.
3.Detect nonlogged agent shutdown.
However, I would prefer to perform all of this in one step to simplify
things which is why I am asking if any of you know if this is even possible.
Thanks for any assistance you can provide.
P.S - FYI, I am using snapshot replication for this w/ SQL Server 2005.
- Johnny
You can use the commands within run agent. You will not get a start up
message, and if it gpf's you will not know your agent has died.
Hilary Cotter
Looking for a SQL Server replication book?
http://www.nwsu.com/0974973602.html
Looking for a FAQ on Indexing Services/SQL FTS
http://www.indexserverfaq.com
"Johnny" <Johnny@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:853CA188-69E7-437D-AE57-548F5DDDF7AD@.microsoft.com...
> How can I run the snapshot agent of a publication from within a custom job
in
> one step?
> I have a snapshot publication that will execute on demand. A custom job
will
> initiate this process, but the custom job needs to be able to wait until
the
> snapshot agent is finished as it will do many other things after. I know I
> can start the snapshot agent by using the sp_start_job sproc but this will
> simply start the process and will not wait until it finishes.
> One option I know I have is to copy the 3 steps below which are inside the
> auto-generated snapshot job and add them to my custom job as 3 steps.
> Step Name
> 1. Snapshot Agent startup message.
> 2. Run agent.
> 3. Detect nonlogged agent shutdown.
>
> However, I would prefer to perform all of this in one step to simplify
> things which is why I am asking if any of you know if this is even
possible.
> Thanks for any assistance you can provide.
> P.S - FYI, I am using snapshot replication for this w/ SQL Server 2005.
> - Johnny
>
|||Thanks Hilary.
What does "gpf's" mean? I havent seen that before. Do you instead recommend
I copy all 3 steps for a more solid solution?
P.S - We bought your book already btw. It's great!
Johnny
"Hilary Cotter" wrote:

> You can use the commands within run agent. You will not get a start up
> message, and if it gpf's you will not know your agent has died.
> --
> Hilary Cotter
> Looking for a SQL Server replication book?
> http://www.nwsu.com/0974973602.html
> Looking for a FAQ on Indexing Services/SQL FTS
> http://www.indexserverfaq.com
> "Johnny" <Johnny@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:853CA188-69E7-437D-AE57-548F5DDDF7AD@.microsoft.com...
> in
> will
> the
> possible.
>
>
sql